United Free Church of Scotland
|Home|
General Assembly|
Congregations online|
Church Directory|
History|
Press Releases|
Special Features|
Statement of Faith|
Stedfast Magazine|
Email|
Short History of the
United Free Church of Scotland Presbyterianism Presbyterian describes a method Church
Government. The word presbyter means elder, and Presbyterianism
means government of the Church by elders, These are divided into
two classes, those who rule over the spiritual affairs of the
congregation, and those who teach and rule. The latter the
ministers, the former the elders, and together they form the Kirk
Session, A separate body in a congregation, variously known as a
Committee of Management, a Deacons Court, or a Congregational
Board, is concerned with property, income and expenditure. Presbyterianism has always asserted pointedly
the duty of every member of Church to care personally for the
Church and to further it in all its activities by his personal
support and interest. Every member has the right to take part in
the election of the minister and in the management of the affairs
of the congregation. Every member is expected contribute
according to his resources. The Church in Scotland The Reformed Church in Scotland came into being
in 1560. It was established in 1567. The essence of Establishment
is a contractual relation with the state involving certain
undertakings and securing certain exclusive privileges and
preferences. This contract is expressed and embodied in a series
of statutes from 1567 onwards (That in 1587 declares 'There is no
other face of Kirk, nor other face of religion, than is presently
by the favour of God established within this realm,') concluding
with the act of 1921 which embodies nine articles setting forth
the constitution of the Church of Scotland. and another act of 1925 handing over to the Church of
Scotland the state endowments. When we say that the Church is
'Established' what is implied is that by an act of parliament it
is declared to be the National Church that it is intimately
connected with the state and in virtue of the state connection
enjoys a privileged position. It soon became clear that this 'establishment'
bore a cost as the State began to interfere in the life of the
Church. In the 17th Century the attempt to introduce bishops led
to the persecution of the 'Covenanters' those who had covenanted
to maintain the freedom of the Church. After much bloodshed the
revolution settlement of 1690 restored Presbyterianism. The Secession and Relief Church The problems with establishment continued
however and in turn led to a breakaway from the Established
Church in 1733. This led to the Secession Church, associated
with Ebenezer Erskine. 'Patronage', the right to choose the
minister, was largely the issue. The State passed the 'Patronage
Act' giving this right to the landowners, the Church maintained
this right belonged to the people. This Church had its
difficulties as secondary matters split the seceders. There were
the 'Auld Lichts' and the 'New Lichts', the 'Burghers' and the
'Anti-Burghers'. The issue of patronage again caused problems in
1761 and led to the formation of the Relief Church, associated
with Thomas Gillespie. The Free Church and the
Disruption There was a third breakaway in 1843. This was
the 'Disruption' associated with Thomas Chalmers and led to the
formation of the Free Church. While the Seceders and Relief came
about by the separation of one or two at a time the 'Disruption'
saw over 400 hundred ministers resign from the Church of
Scotland. There followed a series of unions. In 1847 the
Secession Church and the Relief Church united to become the
United Presbyterian Church. In 1900 the Free Church united with
the United Presbyterian Church to become the United Free Church.
A minority did not go into that union and continue today as the Free
Church of Scotland. In 1929 the United
Free Church united with the Established Church (the Church of
Scotland). A minority didn't go into that union and continue
today as the United Free Church. 1929 Onwards The United Free Church of Scotland minority met
for their first General Assembly on 6th October 1929 in Glasgow.
They elected Rev James Barr to be the first moderator of the
continuing Church. The Photograph on the right shows three of the
leaders of the continuing Church at one of many churches being
opened in the 1930's It was agreed that for the first five years
following the Union they would be known as the United Free Church
of Scotland (continuing) to distinguish them from the pre 1929
church. This led to the nickname 'continuers.' What was it they
were continuing? The minority who didn't go into the union of
1929 did so because three things were important to them. Autonomy: Historically the United Free Church
of Scotland has consistently been opposed to State Establishment
of religion, believing it to be a hindrance to the welfare and
witness of the Church of Jesus Christ. Even in situations where
there is no actual interference with the Church's spiritual
autonomy, the threat is implicit in the State-Church
relationship. Equality: The special recognition by the State
of one denomination, places the Churches on an unequal footing
and is not in the interests of the best Inter-Church relations. Voluntaryism: Material support should come from
the freewill offerings of the members. Where the State for
specific purposes, regarded as promoting the welfare of the
people, offers material or financial aid to all Churches, without
distinction and without injustice to other institutions, or
interference with the Church's freedom, acceptance of such aid
would not be incompatible with the Church's position. In the years following 1929 a great programme
of building churches began and new congregations were founded.
Like many of the other churches in Scotland the Church grew
considerably until 1956 since then the numbers have fallen. A
number of Church extension projects have been undertaken and new
congregations established. In a changing society the Church
continues to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The Church following the tradition of the
United Presbyterian's and the Free Church has been active
overseas. Medical missions were established in Bechuanaland (now
Botswana) in association with the London Missionary Society. This
work saw the establishment of a hospital at Molepolole. Attempts
were made in association with the Presbyterian Church in Canada
to open up a new work in India however the outbreak of the Second
World War prevented this work developing further. The work in
Bechuanaland though thrived. Needs change and in 1975 the
government of Botswana took over the hospital. The Church
continues it's association with the Church in Botswana through
close ties with the LMS successor the United Congregational
Church of Southern Africa. In recent days this has seen a number
of Botswana students for the ministry being trained in Scotland. Adapted in part from an article by Rev
A Innes
©
United Free Church of Scotland 2000 |
